"It would have been great to be on the field with the boys but at least we got there and it all turned out well in the end."

Ronan's achievement caps a career that's now stretched through 16 seasons of senior rugby league.

He has won and lost a plethora of grand finals, made hundreds of first grade appearances with Nambucca Heads, Macksville and Bellingen clubs, and scored thousands of points by kicking goals with that magical boot.

VB Gold Group Awards of 2011

Majors

Rex Hardaker Memorial Award - Michael Ronan (Nambucca Heads)

Coffs Coast Advocate Player of the year - Darren Horne (Sawtell)

John Mackay Medal for player of the grand final - Geoff Batten (Nambucca Heads)